Break out the Kleenex, because the 2014 edition of TCM Remembers is here.

In mid-December of every year, TCM honors the cinematic luminaries we’ve lost in the last twelve months with an emotional assemblage of film clips, artfully rendered still images, and newly shot framing footage, scored with an emotional piece of popular music. It’s an annual moment of reflection and catharsis for classic films fans, and an opportunity to pay one final tribute to beloved figures we’ve lost. This year’s montage is a powerful piece of filmmaking, covering a period in which an inordinate number of icons left us: Shirley Temple, Lauren Bacall, Mickey Rooney, and James Garner, among many others – along with gone-too-soon contemporary performers like Robin Williams and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

TCM Remembers 2014 includes original framing footage shot on the grounds of the Swan House, an historic Atlanta mansion completed in 1928 for the Edward H. Inman family. The music track is “All I Want,” an ethereal ballad by the Irish rock band Kodaline which was also featured in THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. The montage opens with an image of Eli Wallach from THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960) and concludes with truly tear-jerking vocals of Shirley Temple singing “Auld Lang Syne” from WEE WILLIE WINKIE (1937). In between, the film honors 68 actors, directors, producers, writers, cinematographers, visual designers, make-up artists and stuntmen. There’s even a shot of Frank Mankiewicz, the journalist, political strategist and father of TCM host Ben Mankiewicz.

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About willmckinley

I'm a New York City-based writer, video producer, print journalist, radio/podcast host, and social media influencer. I've been a guest on Turner Classic Movies (interviewed by Robert Osborne), NPR, Sirius Satellite Radio, and the official TCM podcast. My byline has appeared in Slate.com and more than 100 times in the pages of NYC alt weeklies like The Villager and Gay City News. I'm also a social media copywriter for Sony's getTV and a contributor to four film-and-TV-related books: "Monster Serial," "Bride of Monster Serial," "Taste the Blood of Monster Serial," and "Remembering Jonathan Frid."

29 Responses to The Faces of TCM Remembers 2014

It will only get worse if you noticed there are a lot of famous great actors in their 80’s now…I figure within the next five years we’re going to be losing some of the most famous and tremendous actors there are . what’s sad is we’re being left with so much garbage now!!!! It’s nothing like it was in the past. Sad!

That was best one to date on Turner classic movies up there did Hollywood blvd nights by some jazz singer back in mid 2000s this you tube made me all the time I already seen it ready see on Twitter Facebook and you tube also On TCM TV

I just happened upon it while switching around the stations w the remote. It was well done. Went to see “Xmas in Connecticut” today @ a local library w my father. The audience, including us,were quite amused & it was a quite a comfort in being part of & hearing the laughter in the room all @ the same time! Especially knowing that these people, again , including us, have seen this movie many times before today & will watch it again & again @ this season as time goes by…

The one that brought tears to my eyes was Bacall & Bogey kissing and hearing him say “I’ll be waiting”! I picture Bogey enveloping Bacall in his arms and kissing her again in heaven! All of those passed on are with us always and TCM brings them to us!

Thanks for this and all the other great posts! Just found the one about aspect ratios on planes, etc. , from earlier in the year. Extremely funny. Still sorting out my Watch TCM app. Meanwhile, do you have any insight on the Fathom operations? The White Christmas anniversary event I went to was all messed up (including no extras). Anyone else attend this event?

An amazing piece of film. I am not a person who is easily moved. The sentiment and shear loss of talent depicted in the 2014 tribute moves me to tears each time I watch it. It is worthy itself of recognition and award. Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to formally recognize and remember so many who have touched my life through culture and film.

I have watch this several times since it began in mid December. But as I watched I noticed how little screen time was given to those we lost compared to the mansion and it’s grounds. Strange editing. I began timing and found an average of 1.3 seconds for the stars and 3.2 for the mansion and grounds. So is the objective to remember and honor those we lost in 2014 or demonstrate one’s editing skills and production techniques?

Longer times per person would of produced a slide show and clips of those we lost in 2014… Not that creative. Instead, the piece tells a story in a way those lost play a roll. The story telling format and content are well done. Production techniques are basic but dramatic (use and technique of very good lenses with DOF)… And very important, not overdone. Music is well synced. Finally, the approx 5 min piece flows with a fitting rhythm editors strive for and viewers will only notice if not done correctly.

It is a very good example of writing, editing, production, and style. Good job Andrew Alonso and Scott Lansing

I was also disappointed with what appeared as a “rush” approach. I so enjoy this annual tribute to the ones lost but this past year there were many. Is it appropriate to ask if the production needs to keep within the time constraints of the music selected? Once the face would appear, I hardly had time to read the name. I certainly appreciate the time and talent put into this production – always topnotch. 2014 just a bit fast (IMHO)

Movita brando has died. An actress in her own right. She was franchot tones tahitian girlfriend in the original 1935 mutiny on the bounty. She is on imdb for sll her credits. Ex wife of marlon brando and was mother to 2 of his children.born dec 4 1917 died feb 12 2015. Age 97 it would be nice to include her in the remembrances portion of your programing schedule. Thank you. Julio salazar, her nephew.

Also felt it was more rushed and not as much credit to those who died. A nice background is good but it should not be about the house. Also, what about Frank Avianca, writer, producer, actor. Died Feb 26, 2014. Was also known as one of the Winter Dance party singers back in the day of when Big Bopper and Richie Valens died in the plane crash.

Also, one day after Don Keefer passed away, Linda Lee (Dickson) Jardine went Home to be with the Lord. Jardine was a school teacher in Colorado, and no obituary exists due to her daughter said to me, “We didn’t do one.” Both of her children lives in the Western United States.

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I'm a New York City-based writer, video producer, print journalist, radio/podcast host, and social media influencer. I've been a guest on Turner Classic Movies (interviewed by Robert Osborne), NPR, Sirius Satellite Radio, and the official TCM podcast. My byline has appeared in Slate.com and more than 100 times in the pages of NYC alt weeklies like The Villager and Gay City News. I'm also a social media copywriter for Sony's getTV and a contributor to four film-and-TV-related books: "Monster Serial," "Bride of Monster Serial," "Taste the Blood of Monster Serial," and "Remembering Jonathan Frid."